POWERFUL
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
This week we will see how there are a lot of scary things around us and even scary things happening around us, but God is more powerful than the evil we see. God has the power to defeat evil.
BIBLE STORY
Have you ever heard a riddle before or listened to clues to guess what the secret item is? Let’s play a game where you listen to the following riddles and see if you can guess what they are.
-I am bright and provide light and heat to the earth (sun)
-I come in different shapes and sizes and provide light in darkness when turned on (lightbulbs)
-Use me when you are walking in the dark or the woods and need to see (lantern)
-Use me to shine a light into a dark space (flashlight)
-I am not a source of light by myself, but I provide a reflection of light at night
-I need oil to burn, I’ve been around for a long time, and I provide a good source of light that you don’t need to hold (lamp)
-Use me when the electricity is out, I provide a small source of light, but can burn a long time without any oil and sometimes I smell really good. (Candle)
-I am fun to use at a party or during a game, I give a small source of light, but you can hang me around your neck, wrist, or just hold! (Glowstick)
-I shine really bright in the dark, I am found on your car and help you see your way on dark roads. (Headlights)
Were you able o guess all of the clues? What did they all have in common? They are all sources of light. We use light to dispel darkness. Whenever we shine light in the darkness, the light takes over the dark. They both can not exist in the same space. Jesus is the light, and he can overcome darkness. He is more powerful than any darkness, darkness has to flee from His presence. This week we will read a story about a dark, or evil presence that Jesus was able to get rid of.
Read or listen to the scripture Luke 9:37-43a
After Jesus came down from the mountain who was waiting there for him? (A large crowd)
What did the man ask of Jesus? (To heal his son)
What was wrong with his son? (A spirit seizes him, he suddenly screams and has convulsions)
Who had the man asked to heal his son before Jesus? (Jesus’ disciples)
Had the disciples been able to heal the son? (No)
What did the demon in the son do when he was brought to Jesus? (threw the boy to the ground in convulsions)
When Jesus rebuked the spirit, what happened? (The boy was healed and went back to his father)
How did the people feel who witnessed it? (They were amazed at the greatness of God)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Evil is the opposite of good. God is good and he is more powerful than everything, including the things that are opposite of him. Play this game of memory and match the opposite items together. We do not need to be afraid of what is evil, because God is good and more powerful than any evil or bad thing.
Materials: memory game
Alternate
Look at this laundry basket. Do you think you are more powerful than it? Of course you can pick it up and carry it around. Now, get in the basket and let’s see if you can continue to be stronger than the basket. Push the basket around, tossing it back and forth on the ground like a ride but not too rough they will get sick. Were you still stronger than the basket? Suddenly the basket was tossing you back and forth and you were no longer in control. Although there may be things that we see as being strong, God is stronger still. He is in control and is able to make even the toughest things weak when compared to him. Alternative: use a large box or plastic storage container
Materials: laundry basket or large box
Independent activity:
Draw a picture of something you fear or that seems scary to you. We all have things in our lives we are unsure we can defeat. It may seem too powerful for us, but it is not too powerful for God. Draw your picture, then title your picture “Whom shall I fear?” Then answer the question at the bottom of the page by writing “The Lord is the stronghold of my life”.
Materials: sheets of coloring paper, pencil, crayons
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Create your own short picture story describing a hero character that faces a scary situation and receives help from God. Write your story and then illustrate the pictures.
Materials: sheets of coloring paper, crayons, pencils
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Who was able to heal the boy possessed by evil?
Why did the father go to Jesus after he’d already asked the disciples?
How did Jesus show the people that he was more powerful than evil?
Do we still have evil things in our world today?
What are some things in your life that seem scary?
How can knowing God is more powerful than evil help us deal with the scary things in our lives?
Practical Application at Home
t is easy to become discouraged about the bad things that are going on around us or in our own lives, when we don’t remember that God is with us. When we remember that God is more powerful than all of the problems in our lives, we can trust that He is in control. Our situation may not always turn out the way we think it should, but we can trust it is not because God is weak, but He has a different plan from ours. Let’s visually see that God is more powerful than our troubles and scary things we see around us.
Cut out pictures from magazines of things you think are scary or that trouble you. Glue them onto a sheet of paper, leaving the top part of the paper blank. Once all the pictures are added, write at the top of the page “God is Greater” in big bold letters.
Let’s remember that no matter what we may add to our list, God is still more powerful than all the scary things we may face.
Materials: magazines, sheet of white construction paper, markers
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?